More about Spacers

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Spacers are shaft, tube, pipe and part fittings that aid in positioning, connection and guiding. A basic spacer is simply a round, hollow cylinder with a specific length and inner and outer diameter. The cylinder can be threaded or unthreaded depending on the nature of the attached components; unthreaded spacers are known as clearance spacers, while those with threads are referred to as standoffs.

Spacers are available in a wide range of shapes and materials. They can be hinged, hexagonal, cylindrical or flat, and can be designed with female or male threads, or any combination of the two. Materials used in their manufacture include various steels (stainless and plated), aluminum, brass and various synthetics, such as nylon, rubber and plastic. Metal spacers are generally used in high-strength applications, while nylon spacers provide the ideal solution for a variety of electronic positioning requirements. Other synthetics are used for food processing applications or vibration reduction. Synthetic spacers are advantageous from a cost perspective, as they cost considerably less to manufacture, but they may not be suitable for all applications.

Shims, washers and similar devices are also considered spacers, as they provide positioning assistance between various fasteners and system components. These devices are also available in an extensive variety of designs, from notched, waffle and cupped to complex custom shapes. Shims, washers and other spacers are generally rated by thickness, shape and material.

Cylindrical and hexagonal spacers are rated by length, either standard or metric, as well as inner and outer diameter, which can be modified to custom specifications, but are otherwise available in standard measurements. In male/female thread combinations, measurements will be supplied for both ends of the spacer, including the length of the threaded bolt and the diameter of the female cylinder. Other spacers serve a multitude of different positioning tasks, and are rated by a wide range of size and material information.